Psalms 105:1
This Thanksgiving tale of the Indian who greeted the Pilgrims with an English “Welcome” and then taught them to plant corn and fish, always seemed to me to be just that – a tale, until I learned how God brought it all about - A slave ship sailing along a shore, kidnapping young boys and taking them back to Spain; a n entire tribe wiped out by disease; a lone man given his freedom returning from Europe to find no one left. There’s far more to the truth than meets the eye here. God is always taking the evil man's devices and turning them into good for those that love him. The slave traders of Europe had meant it for evil against the Indians. They cared only for their pocketbooks but God used it for good. The people who came seeking to worship Him in a new land were starving and fearful of the Indians surrounding them. They needed someone who could help and someone they could understand. God placed Squanto, the Indian once captured and sold for a slave there to willingly help the starving Pilgrims.
In the Bible Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. They thought he probably died in Egypt until they went there to buy food. Who should they find to provide for them, but their own brother, in control of all the food of Egypt ? Joseph’s brothers meant it for evil against Joseph, but God had used it for good.
Confusion and mistrust surround us on every hand, but God has not left us alone. He is working all things for our good. Pray for our nation and all our leaders. Pray for wisdom as Christians. Help wherever you can. Do not be afraid, because God is with us through every circumstance working all things for our good.
Blessings,
Gail
6 comments:
Thank you, Gail, for your post with an interesting history lesson. I love your last sentence which reminds us God always cares for us.
What an inspiring and hopeful message, Gail. Thank you! It is good to be reminded of the Thanksgiving story when we are living through such an anxious time during this pandemic. Even more important, you've reminded me that God always works for our good, even when we are sometimes unable to see the blessing.
Gail, As a grade school teacher I taught my students about Squanto during this season. But I never knew the background you share here. Thank you and thank you for the beautiful point you make about God working evil for the good of those who love him.
Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. One of my post links once showed an older picture. I learned it was because it was still in my facebook cache. There's a way to remove it, but I can't tell you how.
Jeannie, thank you for your comment. I'm glad the Lord used my writing as encouragement.
Katherine, thank you for your comment. This is truly an anxious time. I'm thankful the Lord never leaves us nor forsakes us and gives us others like you to encourage us.
Candi, thank you for your comment. I'm thankful the Lord is working all things for our good and for readers like you who encourage me.
PS I wondered if the picture was changed because it was from the seller and not a regular photograph.
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.
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